[LeatherTrumpet]

Football Association chief Martin Glenn has apologised "for any offence" after comparing the Star of David with symbols such as the Nazi swastika.

Glenn was discussing Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola, who has been wearing a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned politicians in Catalonia.

He said "we don't want" the Jewish Star of David, swastika, or ex-Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe on a shirt.

The Jewish Leadership Council said the comparison was "offensive".

The Star of David is on Israel's flag, their national team shirt and FA logo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43282450

[montblanc]

a mess

[parmnion]

At least he apologised..i would sack him for being a dumb **** though.

[Shaun]

I really can't see what the big fuss is with players wearing armbands or badges or whatever. As long as they're not promoting hate it's really not a big deal.

[James]

I can see the reasons why they ban wearing political symbols. It can alienate fans if your manager or players wore a symbol that you were completely against.

[bitontheslide]

don't get all the fuss, he wasn't comparing one type of political cause with another, just saying that none were welcome

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I really can't see what the big fuss is with players wearing armbands or badges or whatever. As long as they're not promoting hate it's really not a big deal.

Exactly this.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

don't get all the fuss, he wasn't comparing one type of political cause with another, just saying that none were welcome

He compared the Star Of David symbol to two dictatorships, that's gone way off the offensive meter imo and should really see him removed from his job.

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

He compared the Star Of David symbol to two dictatorships, that's gone way off the offensive meter imo and should really see him removed from his job.

He said "we don't want" the Jewish Star of David, swastika, or ex-Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe on a shirt.


That's not comparing anything, it's saying no political causes are welcome

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

He said "we don't want" the Jewish Star of David, swastika, or ex-Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe on a shirt.


That's not comparing anything, it's saying no political causes are welcome

But the Star of David is not a political symbol but a religious one, if he had also said Star of David or Crucifixes etc he would have more of a point but to lump the SoD in woth nazi symbols is ridiculously distasteful at best

[bitontheslide]

He categorised things into a political bucket. That's all. No comparisons were made.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

But the Star of David is not a political symbol but a religious one, if he had also said Star of David or Crucifixes etc he would have more of a point but to lump the SoD in woth nazi symbols is ridiculously distasteful at best

This.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

don't get all the fuss, he wasn't comparing one type of political cause with another, just saying that none were welcome

Well, the Star of David is like the crucifix, it's a symbol of devotion, a symbol of faith. So sticking it up there with the swastika shows he's probably too stupid to be in a position to be speaking to the press.

[Toy Soldier]

The comparison is a stupid and insensitive one but in general I can understand the idea, that there shouldn't be political or religious imagery in sport just out of desire to have it there... HOWEVER, in this case it's a bit different as the Star of David is on the actual country's flag. You can't ban a country from using their own flag, surely?

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Livia

Well, the Star of David is like the crucifix, it's a symbol of devotion, a symbol of faith.

Well arguably, so is the Swastika... just a symbol of devotion to something awful . Especially when used in a modern context.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The comparison is a stupid and insensitive one but in general I can understand the idea, that there shouldn't be political or religious imagery in sport just out of desire to have it there... HOWEVER, in this case it's a bit different as the Star of David is on the actual country's flag. You can't ban a country from using their own flag, surely?

He didn't say "political or religious", though, TS, he said "political". He's an idiot.

[Twosugars]

I'd sack or demote him. He was making a valid point about no politics in the game, but why choose these particular three examples together? Strange thought process to say the least.